Acehtsunami

Floods that have displaced and stranded at least 2 million people in Northern Bihar continue to worsen. The flooding began last week when the Kosi River, known as the Saptakoshi in neighboring Nepal, burst its banks and changed course, inundating three of Bihar’s northeastern districts - Supaul, Madhepura and Araria - an area that has not been affected by major monsoon flooding in more than 50 years.

Because prolonged flooding is a rarity in the area, it has been difficult for authorities to convince most people to evacuate. The Prime Minister visited the affected areas in Bihar and declared Bihar floods as national calamity. He also announced an immediate release of Rs 1,000 crores (US$244 million).

As of 28 August the damage details in the state (Central government figures) are:

· Population affected: 2,668,000

· No. of human lives lost: 47

· No. of districts affected: 16

· No. of villages affected: 1,598

The state government is engaged in rescue and relief operations and claims to have adequate food. However, the lack of adequate drinking water and the unhygienic conditions in the camps are posing a high health risk. The National Disaster Management Authority has therefore, expressed the urgent need of Water purification/treatment plants in large numbers to take care of the flood affected people both in India and Nepal.